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SEPTEMBER 2003 CSCA MEETING MINUTES

The Center School Community Association
Board Meeting Minutes
September 8, 2003

Attending

Bob Moore, Susan Clifford-Jamroski, Andy Edwards, Brian Vance, Ronette Megrey, Paula Tortorice, Toby Taylor, Parker Butterworth (student), Grace Reamer, Gia Buller, Tony Gomez, Emma Epstein (student), Syndey Silver (student), Wendy Graff, Ann Hanson, Lisa Aimette, Tanya Sorensen, Dorothy Skans, LeAnne Shepard.

Reports

Budget: Andy Edwards presented the budget proposal to be submitted at the general meeting Sept. 24. The Executive Committee will meet to go over the request for proposal.

Committees

Principal's Report: Schedule - Brian outlined the new school schedule and the benefits of implementing it. Enrollment - New juniors and seniors were assigned to the Center School, bringing total enrollment slightly under 300 currently. Graduation requirements were loosened for language. Students who take only 2 years can take another art class. Every other Wednesday there will be a community meeting for all students to help strengthen the school community. They will be held alternately in the Intiman and Rep theaters.

Students can take the ski bus on Wednesdays. Every 5th week, students will have a week off of classes, but will be encouraged to use the time as study time or other activities. Brian will distribute the new Wednesday calendar to all parents as soon as possible.

Faculty Update - New counselor, Diane Sanusi; New Humanities, Mr. Andy Bell; Rich Edgerton, new Math/Science teacher, who has interest and experience with aviation programs; Andrea Leary, new Internship Coordinator for Seattle Center Programs; Demeris Pearson will be College Career Specialist one day per week, and Karen Freeman Krenzer was hired as additional Attendance Secretary. An additional Humanities instructor will be hired soon. Brian asked for parent volunteers trained in the Seattle Schools District interview-training program to help with the hiring of additional faculty. The faculty is very excited to begin the new school year and spent a day on retreat together. Bob Moore reminded us that the new faculty is welcomed to attend CSCA and get more involved.

Some additional news from Brian:

Denise Sobieralski was married and is now Denise Schaeffer.
Center School had the largest increase in Math WASL and Reading/Listening in the state.
WASL test scores for sophomores will be mailed out mid Sept. 25-26 students took SATs. Average scores were 1150-1175. Some were quite high.
Brian met with the district Finance Coordinator and put together a game plan for the use of contracted workers at Center School. Brian is hopeful that an agreement can be reached with SECA about the use of artists and contracted workers in the short term, but in the future certified teachers may have to be hired.
If parents are interested to teach a class to 10-15 students, they can submit a proposal to Brian.

Brian would like to become more explicit and better define the role of CSCA. Most schools have a separate BLT (or Site Council?). Brian's objective is to figure out how to use this group to accomplish those different roles. A strategic planning process would help accomplish this and could be addressed throughout the course of the year.

Unfinished Business - Nothing was reported.

New Business

Fundraising Proposal: Emma Epstein and Syndey Silver spoke to the CSCA about their efforts to fund raise for their planned trip to Costa Rica. They would like their fundraising to be supported by the CSCA. Dorothy Skans commented that the PTA could support their efforts as long as the checks were written to the CSCA. At the time the students need their money, the CSCA would cut them the check. The budget line item will be CSCA Cultural Connections.

Student Newspaper Proposal: Parker Butterworth put together a budget for the student newspaper. Bob Moore asked whether this was a typical budget item for the school or PTSA. Brian remarked that the larger high schools usually have some kind of budget for student run newspapers, but in addition, the students fund raise to finance it as well. Wendy Graff moved that the CSCA grant the journalists their requested $1400 for the student run newspaper. Andy Edwards seconded and the motion was passed unanimously.

Administration
The first general meeting of the CSCA will be at the Back to School Night on Sept. 24. CSCA members will meet prior to the meeting at 6 pm. Dorothy Skans asked about whether we have a volunteer coordinator. At the meeting we can make a special plea.

Funds request: Cross-country team is training and requested uniforms. After some discussion about funding jersey and shorts, Susan Clifford-Jamroski moved that the board fund the purchase of a jersey for each team member at the total cost of $337 and Wendy Graff seconded the motion. The motion was passed.

Wendy Graff brought up the Scholarship fund for Wednesday activities and Bob suggested that she bring a proposal forward at the next meeting.

The meeting adjourned at 7:02 pm. Wendy Graff will Chair the next meeting on Sept. 24.

Respectfully submitted,
Susan Clifford-Jamroski


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